Page 58

“That you love me?”

“What?”

“You said it. That you love me.”

She stopped dead. “I did, didn’t I? Then yeah, I guess I meant it. You couldn’t have given me better news.”

“Right. So it was just because of what I told you. Then you didn’t mean it for the lifetime I’ve planned for us?”

After hearing the serious note he couldn’t hide, she stopped. “You’re supposed to say it first.” The twinkle in her eyes gave away her sudden solemn tone.

“Says who. Admit it. You meant it forever.”

Ana hit a pose, her hands at her hips and her expression playfully mean. “You do remember I have a big gun?”

Laughing, Nash backed away, hands held up protectively. “Darling, I adore you, love you… worship you.” He scooped her close again and laughed when she muttered, “Big baby.”

Epilogue

Though Nash had to report back to his crew, the fires soon fizzled out in their area due to the storm that took the mountain region by surprise. Rain came down in buckets and was a welcome relief to everyone.

Once they got the all-clear to use the roads, most of the folks headed back to the city and those that had no where to go were miraculously invited to stay with those who did.

Dave was able to report that the department had no intention of taking the situation of Vlad’s death any further. And Ana’s own people made their report according to their policies and found it to be a clean kill. No repercussions. No prosecution. The file was closed.

Once the girls were able to leave, they headed home where Diana had a huge surprise waiting for them. She’d found the relatives of the Russian whose identity card Hanna had taken from the dead man who’d saved her life.

“I hope you don’t mind, Hanna, but when you showed me the envelope and said you’d never read the card inside, I couldn’t help myself. Ask Ana, she’ll tell you how nosy I am. When I was cleaning your room, it ate away at me until I opened the envelope. I guess the last name stayed with me, and when I saw it in a social media post, I reached out to ask them if they knew of a soldier called Karl Alexeyev who had the same last name.”

“You did, Titka? Of course, I don’t mind. What did they say?”

“He was their son. They’d moved to England because of the war. They hated what was happening in their country. With the death of their dearest only child, they couldn’t stay in Russia any longer. We’ve started corresponding, and they seem like lovely people. I hope you don’t mind. I’ve never mentioned your secret. That’s yours to share.”

“No. I’m – I’m happy. Especially that they were against the war too. I didn’t know how or even if I could find them, and yet I so much wanted to tell them about him… Karl you say? That was his name?”

“Yes. Karl Alexeyev. His last name means defender. I have their phone number, and we can organize a Zoom call anytime… if you wish.”

“Yes, please. I need to tell them about what a kind man Karl was and that they should be proud of him. That he saved a young girl’s life. And that he’ll always be loved… and not just by them.”

***

Days later, Ana smiled and held her cousin’s hand while Hanna shared parts of her story with the older couple who looked like they’d been given the most precious gift of all… sweet memories to cherish of their very brave and honorable son.

~*~*~*~